In 2012 the UPEI Faculty Development Summer Institute on Active Learning and Teaching will celebrate its 29th year of great faculty professional development. It remains the only one of its kind in Canada. The overall goal of the Institute is to improve teaching and learning by supporting teachers to learn and use active learning in their classrooms.
Since 1984, hundreds of participants have had an opportunity to work with professors from Canadian, American, and overseas colleges and universities who believe, as we do, that teaching is both an art and a science. Participants will discover new ideas that will assist their students in learning more effectively, and make teaching even more of a joy than it is already. In the finest tradition of active learning, we give all participants a voice in the classroom. And like all effective teachers, we will continue to operate from an agenda that is adaptable to the learning needs of our participants.
Prince Edward Island offers an idyllic getaway just before the hectic fall term begins, and an exceptional location for a family holiday. We hope you will join us, and by all means bring your loved ones.
| Monday, July 30 — Introduction and Reception | |
| 6:30pm | Registration (Room 142, Andrew Hall (formerly called New Residence) |
| 7:00pm | Opening Session — Introduction to the Program |
| 9:00pm | Reception (Schurman Market Square, McDougall Hall) |
| Tuesday, July 31 — Strategies for Incorporating Active Learning into Your Teaching | |
| 8:00am | Continental Breakfast |
| 8:30am | Setting the Tone for a Course — Brian Wagner |
| 9:15am | Why Active Learning: The Debate — Brian Wagner |
| 10:15am | Break |
| 10:45am | Motivating Student Learning — Philip Smith |
| 12:00pm | Class Photo |
| 12:15pm | Lunch - AVC McCain Foundation Learning Commons |
| 1:15-3:00pm | Building Active Learning into Your Classroom — Shannon Murray |
| 2:30pm | Break |
| 2:45pm | Presentation Preparation |
| 6:00pm | Evening Outing — deep-sea fishing or restaurant |
| Wednesday, August 1 — Using Active Learning Creatively | |
| 8:00am | Continental Breakfast |
| 8:30am | Debrief on previous day — Brent MacLaine |
| 9:00am | An Example of Interactive Learning: Team-Based Learning — Brent MacLaine |
| 10:15am | Break |
| 10:45am | An Example of Interactive Learning: Team-Based Learning — Brent MacLaine |
| 12:00pm | Lunch - AVC McCain Foundation Learning Commons |
| 1:00pm | Teaching Large Classes — Philip Smith |
| 2:15pm | Break |
| 2:30pm | The Interactive Science Classroom — Brian Wagner |
| after 4:00pm | Open Evening |
| Thursday, August 2 — Evaluating Active Learning | |
| 8:00am | Continental Breakfast |
| 8:30am | Debrief — Shannon Murray |
| 9:00am | Evaluation of Learning — Brent MacLaine |
| 10:15am | Break |
| 10:45am | Feedback to Enhance Learning - Shannon Murray |
| 12:00pm | Lunch - AVC McCain Foundation Learning Commons |
| 1:00pm | Using Video Taping to Improve Teaching |
| after 4:00pm | Open Evening |
| Friday, August 3 — Next Steps | |
| 8:00am | Continental Breakfast |
| 8:30am | Reflection of Videotaping |
| 9:00am | Student Learning Outside the Classroom — Philip Smith |
| 10:15am | Break |
| 10:45am | The Reflective Teacher — Shannon Murray |
| 12:00pm | Lunch - AVC McCain Foundation Learning Commons |
| 1:00pm | Teaching Plans and the last class — Brian Wagner and Shannon Murray |
| 2:15pm | Evaluation and Celebration |
| 3:15pm | End |
| 6:00pm | Closing Banquet |
Dr. Brent MacLaine is Professor and Chair of the Department of English at the University of Prince Edward Island. He has over twenty-five years of post-secondary teaching experience at universities in Canada, China, and Singapore. He has given talks and workshops both regionally and nationally on Team-Based Learning. A poet and scholar of twentieth-century literature, he is the recipient of UPEI's Teaching Excellence Award (1997), the UPEI Student Union Faculty of the Year Award (1998), the AAU Distinguished Teaching Award (2001), and the 3M Teaching Fellowship (2002).
Dr. Shannon Murray is a Professor in English at the University of Prince Edward Island where she teaches Renaissance Literature, Shakespeare, and Children's Literature. The Assistant Director of UPEI's Teaching Centre, she is the recipient of the UPEI Award for Excellence in Teaching (1996-97) and a 3M National Teaching Fellow (2001). She has given a wide range of talks and workshops on teaching and learning here and abroad, including on Learning Communities, on the Syllabus, on Threshold Concepts, and on the Teaching Dossier.
Dr. Brian D. Wagner is a Professor of Chemistry and the Assistant Vice President, Graduate Studies at the University of Prince Edward Island. Dr Wagner has been at UPEI since 1995. He has taught a wide variety of chemistry courses at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Dr. Wagner was the recipient of the 1997–1998 UPEI Award for Excellence in Teaching and the 3M Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Teaching Excellence Award (2005). He has given workshops and presentations on university teaching at UPEI and abroad, and has been a facilitator in the FDSI program since 2002.
Dr. Philip Smith is Professor of Psychology and a former Dean of Arts at the University of Prince Edward Island, where he began teaching in 1984. He is a clinical psychologist, and teaches students in introductory psychology, statistics and research methods, child development, and health psychology. Dr. Smith is a recipient of the UPEI Award for Excellence in Teaching (1993), was named Canadian University Professor of the Year by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (2000), and is a 3M National Teaching Fellow (2003). He has given workshops and talks on teaching large classes, student motivation, service learning, and peer engagement in teaching and learning.
"Please continue your enthusiasm. It was an excellent model for everyone both new and experienced in teaching."
"Simply outstanding. I had a terrific, constructive, eye-opening time."
"This institute is vital. I have received no other formal teaching on how to be a teacher, and teaching is what I do for a living!"
"Giving, approachable, receptive and patient. What a great bunch!"
"...excellent workshop for both new scholars as well as those wanting to refresh."
"I've read a lot about active learning , but there is nothing like doing it yourself."
"An enriching, invigorating experience that enabled me to...polish my skills in active learning and teaching."
"I really appreciated the careful planning, the thoughtful teaching, the diversity of teacher personalities and the wonderful insights from instructors. All are great speakers and have very rich experience to share."
The registration fee is $995.00 (CDN). This fee includes instructional materials, continental breakfasts, Monday evening reception, lunches, closing banquet, and nutrition breaks. Please note that $100.00 of the registration fee is non-refundable. Accommodation fees are not included.
Deadline/Enrolment Limits
To hold your place, please fill out the online registration form and send a $100.00 (CDN) non-refundable deposit. The remaining $895.00 (CDN) must be paid by June 1, 2012. Register early as enrolment is limited to 30. Cancellations after July 1, 2011, will be subject to an administrative fee of $100.00 (CDN).
NOTE: Please indicate on the registration form if you have specific meal considerations or requirements. If you would like to purchase extra banquet tickets, these are $50 each.
Some space may be available in student residences on the UPEI campus. Contact directly, UPEI Residence, Food and Conferences Services at (902) 566-0362 | Fax (902) 628-4319 | E-mail
Accommodations are also available in nearby hotels, motels, and Bed and Breakfasts. The UPEI Centre for Life-Long Learning will assist you in obtaining information and travel brochures.
Click here for information on How to Get to PEI.
email: lifelong@upei.ca
tel: (902) 566-0336
Centre for Life-Long Learning
